it is the concessus so enjoy the cloak'.
As your caravan nears Heartham you see a contingent of the city's soldiers about 6 miles from town that marches towards you. You recognize that it's a group of soldiers that fought together with Lord Midway, the dents in their armour and dried blood are a dead giveaway.
As they approach you are greeted by a man in his mid-thirties, he has a small black beard covering most of his chin, but his head is going bald.
"Welcome back friends of Greenbrook. I am lieutenant Richard Augsbur." the man says as he shakes your hands and claps on your shoulders.
The other soldiers welcome the drivers as well, already making jokes and laughs as they go.
"We were sent as an escort to protect you these last miles. My apologies that we didn't join up with you sooner, but we encountered some troubles as well during the mission."
Lieutenant Augsbur relates to you the events of the past days, his cheery demeanor changing quickly to a grim recollection.
"Our complication was a third battle we didn't anticipate. The battles near the farmsteads and lumberyards were easy, 75 goblins and 140 goblins respectively with minimum losses and wounded. However as we returned we met a large group of 250 goblins that had totally surprised us as we came back. Almost a third of us fell before we had time to get into a more favorable position. The goblins were relentless and we were equally in our retaliation, eventually we succeeded in driving them off. They scattered at the same time as our soldiers fell or routed."The lieutenant shakes his head.
"The group of men you see here are some of the men that continued fighting no matter what, it was luck that Sir Midway gathered the rest of our routed fellows, some of them have fled into the woods, others returned to the city, counting our dead and deserters, we lost more than a third of our men while almost another third is wounded. We are just happy to see the mission in the end was succesful."
Elenzar listens thoughtfully, "Our normally near mindless enemy is moving and striking with timing and purpose. They cry out with battle cries of Kreloud we need to get ahead of this. They are on offense. They are probing weaknesses. They have a comander. We need to find him. We need to choke their supplies. And rob them of communication that they have. We are fighting blind and on their terms."
That is still over 550 goblin fought and routed with a good 2/3 killed i take it. You did all well. I am just glad you were able to survive all this. says taliesin trying to sound cheerful.
"Only the professional soldiers fought outside, the militia held up the walls of Heartham, I didn't hear them having trouble so I'd wager the Garrocks are alright." Richard Augsbur says as he turns to Forfax.
"I don't know about Marek, he wasn't with us, he should be in the city."
"We killed close to 500 goblins yes, but at what cost? Things went worse than we had thought they would. They seemed to have better weapons this time as well, whoever their leader is provides them with good weapons now as well."
Richard seems to recall something important as his face tightened and he immediately turned to you.
"I do recall their chanting and battle cries, they seem to keep shouting Krewlod and words like Kilm and Mon. Don't know if that means anything to you."
Krewlod was one of their war cry during the last night raid
"I know what Krewlod means, it's the country south of here."
Well i see. So lets all get to town and brag a drink to honor the dead and the living shall we?
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Let us return to town. You all fought well, I too am saddened to hear of the losses suffered at the hands of these wretched goblins. We shall drink to those lost today, to honor their bravery. We shall also drink to the successes of today; repelling the forces, and gathering resources to fend them off in the coming months David says with a somber look on his face, and the thought of all the lives lost.
We found some jugs of liquor, Horse Head from Steadwick. We shall toast with it, unless there is something else would like to be used.
The group of battle-hardened soldiers and your caravan travel to Heartham and are welcomed with open arms by the villagers and the militia.
The villagers look happy with the extra rations for the moment and the poleturners and fletchers look very pleased with the amount of wood.
A small group composed of Lord Midway, Marek and the Greythumbs plus a few guards, apporaches you and the soldiers.
"Good to see you all still in one piece my friends." Richard Greythumb says as he nods approvingly at your provisions.
"We were worried after we got the news from the main army. Say, did you manage to gather any iron supplies as well? Father and I work at Gerome Hammerblows shop now and he is repairing and reforging old armour from the fallen soldiers to equip the militia with it."
Lord Midway on the other hand is talking to lieutenant Augsbur and the drivers, questioning them about any special events that have occurred during the trip. The drivers relate to him that most things went smoothly though some goblins were more intelligent, telling him the story about the fortified goblins and the one that got away.
He then walks over to you.
"Welcome back friends of Greenbrook, I'm glad to see that everything worked out well in the end after all, we got our supllies into the city. Though our costs are great, for the coming weeks we can't go out to procure anymore provisions in the same way. But you should rest tonight, you deserve some relaxation. My house is open to you should you want to speak about the goblin problem."
With that he nods to you all and goes away to talk with some officers and keepers of the arsenal.
Most of the drivers are still being welcomed by many other villagers and friends among the militia when Brand walks over.
"Thanks for watching our backs these past days. Remember that our offer still stands should you wish to go for it another time."
[ooc]You have multiple options from here on. I'd like to see what your characters might do with the free time/free hand you have in the town. Helping the craftsmen, training, scouting, gathering more supplies, searching for leaders. Many things are possible.[ooc]
We weren't able to get any metal since our wagons were full. replied taliesin to richard.
No worries there Brand, if if your wagon goes out again to gather some supplies and we are still in the city, well you can count on us.
Taliesin will head over to the magic shop and will talk a bit with the old wizard. He is there to relax and spend some time with the old mentor until the evening
Elenzar adds to what Taliesin says, "Some of the teamsters might be willing to make another run, I will bring it up as an option."
Elenzar responds to Lord Midway, "I would be eagar to speak to you about the goblin problem. If I am to go to your home please let me get the road and camp smell out of my clothes."
Elenzar heads to the library swiftly and seeks out the elf. In his eagarness for news he does not worry who else hears. "Hello friend. I have some questions that were raised in the last bit of news regarding battle in the days I was gone. Perhaps you could assist with answers. Not only are the Goblins speaking of Krewlod but their cries included the words 'Kilm' and 'Mon.' Does that shed any light on things?"
"Yeah I don't think it would be today Forfax."
Nathaniel nods at Elenzar's note of willing to make another trip for the iron.
"With such a battlefield there is alot of iron to be found."
Nathaniel will offer to help repair damaged armors. If they don't need the help, he'll head for the church, for training and blacksmith duties.
When Taliesin enters the magic shop of Arvinth, he finds the old man glaring through a dusty crystal ball, a pair of eyes and nose appearing enlarged on Taliesin's side.
"Ah Taliesin, my dear boy I see you've made it back alive, and David did as well I presume? Splendid, splendid, though I must say I had thought you might. Come, come here!" He waves you over quite excited.
"This old thing began showing me images of you and David during the past few days. I can't quite figure out yet how it works, though I saw glimpses of the battle and your night at the lumberyards. Quite fascinating really."
@Elenzar
Lord Midway nods at you. "Very well, then meet up with me later this evening, my house is the largest one near the church, the one with the dark wooden front door."
Ervirel looks up surprised as you so brusquely enter the library and speak with him. He looks at you with wonder, then answers the question.
"Kilm means something like 'proof' or 'to prove' perhaps they are trying to prove themselves in some way. Mon however is no word in the goblin language unless they have new words, my languages are not up to date. However Mon sounds like an abbreviation of sorts, it has a goblin ring to it."
Taliesin will tell him that david seems to be more in control of his magic. He will tell him also about the different goblin shout.
He will also peer in the crystal ball.
Over all his is rather glad that all the people he knows are alive.
The vision goes dusty again before a flash of a new one appears.
This time you see a great forge of some kind, possibly underground. A lone figure is battering away on an anvil, eventually laying down a finished fine sword. The figure turns around and the green skin of a goblin face stares in your direction. The sounds of more goblins can be heard in a faint whisper.
The vision fades and the crystal ball is dusty again.
Arvinth looks to you as you snap out of the vision.
"Taliesin? Did you see anything?"
Elenzar asks the elf a question, "Ervirel do you have a book that I could use to read up on Goblin speech?"
Elenzar looks a the book a moment. "Thank you Ervirel again."
Elenzar heads back to the room that he has been staying and does his best to himself up. He spends some time in prayer with his figurine, looking through the books that Ervirel has given him.
Elenzar looks for the others in the Greenbrook bunch. "Hey guys I was headed to Lord Midway's if your interested in coming with me."
@Elenzar
I don't have a goblin dictionary if that is what you mean." Ervirel stands up from his desk and walks into a section that contains books about language. He picks out a book from there and blows the dust off of it.
"This book is pretty old, written by an already dead Bracadan scholar who investigated multiple languages to see how they developed. I can't say why anyone would want to study it, but he has. There is a small part about the goblin language in here. What are you after specifically?"
Arvinth listens closely to your recitement of the vision you had, then strokes his beard.
"How many goblins did you see? Was there only one working the forge? If so they might not mass produce armour and weapons as you think, rather one handling it."
The other vision should be pretty comforting I'd assume, your fellow villagers have arrived at Tidewater. That's good news right?"
Arvinth scratches his head. "I know a lot, but I haven't figured this thing out yet completely, it's something I've got from a friend of mine out of Bracada. The wizards there seem to know how the thing works exactly. Usually it displays the things you are thinking about the most."
Arvinth stands up and walks to the shelves, picking his way through his collection.
"Most of the trinkets here serve a purpose or are a fond memory, the power within them greatly varies. At my age I don't remember everything anymore, just like that crystal ball, I have flashes of memories about them."
He turns around to look at you.
"As to your question about me and Midway, he knows about me, but has never visited. I don't think we've ever met in person and there is probably a reason for that, a reason I do not know."
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David will nod at the leuitenant Should there be another wagon going out in the next day or two, count me in as well
After the group dismisses, David wanders around the village for a bit. Seeing if there is any 'simple' healing that needs to be administered, and clearing his head from the past couple days events. After about 30 minutes, he heads on back to Arvinth's shop. He walks in as Taliesin and Arvinth are talking. He waits for them to finish their current conversation, then chimes in, Hello folks. Sorry for being late, took a stroll to clear my head, did I miss anything?
no not much david, i was recounting was we were told about the big battle with the goblins and how someone with advance military knowledge is leading them.
Turning back toward the old man by the way would you have a spellbook for.me to buy, i realised that i had none and therefore i couldn't reherse any formulas while i was away.
@Arvinth's shop
The old man looks at Taliesin with twinkling eyes.
"I think I still have my own beginner's spellbook you could purchase for a friend's price. It was my training book all those years back when I started."
Arvinth stands up from behind the counter, seeks support and walks away back to the shelves like before.
"Ah David, I already wondered when you would pop back in. I saw your troubles and your way back that was luckily uneventful. Can I help you with something as well?"
Arvinth searches the shelves and picks a small leather booklet from among the items, then walks back to Taliesin at the counter and hands him the small book.
"I trust you will put it to good use and take care of it."
Taliesin takes the book in his hands and notices the thick layer of dust that has settled on it. Wiping away the dust Taliesin finds the spellbook in surprising good state considering it's almost 60 years old, not a single mark, scratch or fold can be seen in the smooth black leather.
@Forfax
Forfax walks back to the stable where he first intended to buy a horse. The same three horses as before stand at the stables. The normal owner isn't around, but a young woman stands there tending to a new horse, sunlight is blinding you from a fist-sized hole in the side of the stable until you come closer.
She brushes the horse while singing a soft song to him, it might be some kind of church song. Then when she is done brushing one side she turns to other and notices you.
"Oh hi! Are you interested in buying a horse?" She asks cheerfully. She is quite pretty and has a friendly demeanor about her. She has short blond hair, green eyes and is wearing green and yellow peasant clothes with a padded armour over it. You have the idea that you have seen her before, perhaps at the marketplace.
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Forfax is so distracted by the new horse that when the new girl speaks it makes him jump, but as soon as he sees her face he can see nothing else. " Uh...yes, I'm always looking...I mean I'm always looking for a good ride...I mean to say a good horse to ride." Forfax shakes his head "Let me start again my name is Forfax, I think I may have seen you in the market. May I be so bold as to ask you your name?"
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Hello friends, Arvinth, nothing immediately come to mind right now. I guess the basement for Taliesin and I to practice in would be sufficient for my personal needs. Unless you know of anyone like myself. I will need to work through this period in my life 'alone' so to speak.
Why such the long face friend?
Oh my, this cannot be a good thing. Even if they only had a single forge, but you "heard" many others in the background. This doesn't bode well for us, or anyone else in their paths he says with a shocked look on his face.
What options do we have, as an entire village? Better yet, what about this Krewlod place, are they in league with the goblins? Are we fighting an entire nation, not just goblins? In all the stories I have heard, goblins never have seem this organized
Taliesin will leave his only gold on the counter (3gp).
thank you very much, i will also pass it on when it is my time to retire he says long trough its pages
@Forfax
"Bold? Of course you may know my name," she laughs and smiles broadly. "My name is Erin. The market here? Perhaps you did, but I think it not likely." Her eyes seem to twinkle.
The horse she is brushing whinnies and seems to look interested in your conversation. The light brown horse with several white spots looks pretty strong.
"So you are interested in horses as well? Are you looking for a riding horse or a warhorse Forfax? Whatever the case I think you'd want this one."
@Arvinth's Shop
"It's hard to tell David." Arvinth says solemnly. "Krewlod is the land of barbarians and goblins so they could act together. I could try to see if I can get a glimpse of things to come via this crystal ball. I can't promise anything, but I will try."
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"Ah Erin, a beautiful name for a beautiful lady. Horses are such magnificent creatures, so majestic, so powerful. To be able to truly control such a beast is to show your own true power. As for the kind of horse I require I am striving to be a great Cavalier so I require a stead who will not shy away from a battle and this fine creature does look like it would fit the bill. What is it's name?"
Erin chuckles at Forfax's words.
"Thank you for the compliment. This fine beast is still waiting for it's name, Forfax. Perhaps it was waiting for you to give him his name. For what I can tell he can manage anything of porperly taken care of."
"It would be my pleasure Forfax, but I'm afraid I would feel out of place there, for more than one reason. Somehow I get the feeling you might have felt the same before."
She finishes brushing the animal and refills the feeding trays of all the horses.
"How about you take me for a ride on your new horse as a sort of test ride and pay me tomorrow? I trust you being honest."
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"Being just about any place in this big city makes me feel out of place and I was hoping having such a fine woman as yourself on my arm could put me at ease, if only a little. But if it make you uncomfortable I shall let it drop, but that ride does sound lovely and I would be delighted to take it with you. If you will point me toward your stead so I may help you onto it we may be on our way." Forfax bows with his hand outstretched toward the other horses gesturing for Erin to lead the way.
spoiler=DM]you mean a prestidigitation spell in order to clean the book?[/spoiler]
Arvith would you like to accompany us to the diner at lord Midway's house?
If you Detect Magic you find that there is a permanent Mending spell cast on it.
@Forfax
"It's just this way." Just around the corner of the stable stands a snow-white horse, eating hay. The horse looks almost too beautiful for a commoner like her to have one. She whispers to the horse something you can't hear and it whinnies approvingly. She gracefully moves up on the horse and smiles to you.
"I have ridden horses a lot, you could say I'm somewhat of a natural. Let's head out a bit out of town, so you can get a bit of a feel for your new horse."
You ride for several hours around Heartham, stepping slowly, galloping and riding very fast. You feel right at ease while riding, no concerns at all as if you're feeling as free as a bird. It seems all too soon as you ride back to Heartham near the eastern gate.
Nathaniel will join the others for the visit to lord Midway's.
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Upon seeing Erin jump into the saddle Forfax runs back to his new horse with an almost new found excitement for just the idea of a horse ride. Jumping into the saddle Forfax quickly gallops off after Erin.
Forfax puts the horse through it's paises, but never forgetting his lovely guide. They talk the whole while, Forfax about his time growing up in Greenbrook and his journeys ever since, Erin about her time raising horses and how she got to Heartham.
All to soon though their ride came to an end. As soon as Forfax was able to stable his horse he jumps down and runs to Erin's side raising a hand to help her down. "I had a wonderful time and I hope beyond hope that we will be able to do it again sometime."
After finding out This is sooooo cool he says with a childlike glee
@Forfax
Erin tells you a lot of her hobby of caring for animals, horses in particular, she mentions she is a newcomer to Erathia in these troubling times, coming from the Contested Lands to the east. She mentions being part of a large family but doesn't go into detail about them.
When you get back she slides down easily with your help. "Thank you very much Forfax, I had a wonderful time as well. We might see each other again some time, let's hope this struggle is over by then."
She strokes Forfax through his hair before she waves him goodbye and stables her horse around the stable.
@Lord Midway's Mansion
In the evening most (if not all) of you come together in front of the Lord's house. Elenzar arriving first, then Nathaniel together with an excited, but dreamy Forfax and as last the pair of Arvinth's students with their reluctant mentor in tow.
When they reach the house the guards question them why they are there before letting them through. Evidently they are surprised by the many visitors their lord has at once. As you enter you see Lord Midway in his study, looking over two maps, a miniature battlefield and an opened letter. As he first sees Elenzar he invites him in, seeing the high number of guests he looks surprised, but calls for some extra chairs to be sent to his room.
"Welcome all, I've seen all of your faces, though your face is rather unfamiliar to me." He says to the old wizard sitting in a chair with a thick cape over his shoulders.
"We haven't met in person yet, sir Midway. Though I'd presume you have heard of me, I'm Arvinth the proprietor of the small magic shop in town."
"Ah.. yes.. Arvinth. Well welcome, I take it your pupils invited you over. "
The lord stands over the table his hands spread out while he leans on it. He looks somewhat frustrated as he looks at you all.
"Planning our strategy now seems hard, recent events with the goblins need to be taken into consideration. I've already given my captains of the guard their orders for the coming days, but for the rest we can only sit here and discuss. Our army was almost decimated by the goblins, we have 91 professional soldiers available for duty, 64 recovering at the church grounds and 90 who died or fled. I want to look at our options and have some fresh ideas besides the ones from my trusted officers. My initial idea was to turtle up and wait for outside help but I can't rely on that anymore I'm afraid."
Not only that but, during our recent mission and from some research we conducted today we know that goblins are starting to mass produce quality forged weapons
Nathaniel has walked the way up to Lord Midway's mansion with a cavalier who's mind was likely 99% absent during that time. Sometimes hearing muttering of somebody named Erin...
As they got up to the door and they could go in, he noticed his friend being void of attention. With a smirk he taps him over the back of the head to wake him up.
"Wake up, we can go in."
Upon hearing the tone between the magic shop owner and Lord Midway;
"I've seen those soldiers come and being carried into the church's grounds. Some wounds were severe."